Archive for ‘AMERICA’

If you are sleepless in Seattle, don’t be as the International Film Festival is kicking off on the 19th May 2011 and will be showing some exciting Italian films untill the 12th of June 2011. All you need is to book your tickets and smarten up before you hit 9th Avenue North. Seattle has made the effort so do not make Italy look “La brutta Figura”. For full programme click here

I am often confused by the nationality of a film and the idea that money speaks louder than words is not making sense. This film is funded by Italy, Germany and France, the actors are Italian and German, the director is Italian, it is filmed in Germany and both German and Italian is spoken, so why has Tribeca Film Festival decided it is French and have no entries under Italy? I am going to find out as it is upsetting me, imagine if you can happily blogging about a French film on my Italian Film Blog, Ça va pas NO ! There will be news about this later, I am going to ask the good people of New York before I go into meltdown.

The Festival looks cool and has a great looking programme, unless of course you are looking for Italian Films. They also have an online festival, something I shall check out for sure and if you are in New York between the 20th April and the 1st of May and you are looking smart, why not swing by and take in a film.

Update 01.05.11

No response from Tribeca (e-mail sent 20.04.11) on their decision to classify Una Vita Tranquilla, A Quiet Life directed by Claudio Cupellini as French, I understand the film was well received which is all that matters. Lets hear it for Italy though !

Woooooher, Wisconsin Film Festival 2011 will be showing 4 Italian Films, please can we all rejoice together as neither San Fransisco, Dallas, Hawaii, RiverRun, Sonoma and Arizona International Film Festivals were able to find just one single Italian film this year, I think we need to go all out for Wisconsin lets sing a song, try a small tribal dance, anything to show some appreciation for our friends in Wisconsin. I was not really sure where this state was either so you now have a link to knowledge too, go explore.

They have found 4 Italian films to show during their festival, of course, we have the Le Quattro Volte, The Four Times my life would not be the same if that was not included 2 x Hip Hip Hurrahs for the director Michelangelo Frammartino, who must be having the time of his life, not only does Le Quattro Volte get to appear in nearly all International Film Festivals, it wins prices and awards too, top film….. OK, I did not like it I was ever so bored I was wrong, as it has been applauded everywhere so go form your own opinion, do not huff like that in my direction, I am human and I have failed you all with respect to this film……. DARN.

It is a clear “NUL POINT” to Dallas, not a single solitary Italian Film not one……I feel ashamed for you Dallas.

Update 31.03.11 by PrimoCiak: Please read the comment from Dallas International Film Festival, PrimoCiak was too quick in the uptake. Why not have a look at their programme if you are anywhere near Dallas, just follow the link above for a full breakdown of films….

Like this:

For the 6th year running Sicily hits on Miami with a small but perfectly formed Film Festival. I am so please when a Sicilian films makes it to the mainland of Italy, imagine if you can the excitement I am feeling knowing that a great number of films have left the Island and will be shown in the US of A. The Sicilian Film Fest Miami Beach kicks off on the 7th April and rolls along until 13th April 2011, it will show only Sicilian films. Do Sicily have a film industry ? Well of course we do it is just near impossible to get to see any as they sadly miss out on distribution, often only making it to International Film Festivals outside Italy, we should all feel shame.

The Film Fest has already announced its winner of this years Life Time Achievements Award 2011……. who ? non other that the beautiful Claudia Cardinale, you will know her from such films as : 8 1/2 , Rocco and his Brothers, The Leopard, The Pink Panther and many others, the lady has appeared in 107 films all in all, most resently filming the “Guardian of Harem” directed by Fabien Pruvot it is still in pre-production, great lady and still going strong at age 72.

There is a photo exhibition by Roberto Granata, a Sicilian photographer in Hollywood showing portraits of movie stars. The photos will be for sale with a silent auction in favor of Roberto Granata Foundation benefitting children displaced by earthquake tragedies worldwide, make sure Sicilian generosity is on display.

The films shown this year are :

L’imbroglio del lenzuolo, The Trick In The Sheet directed by Alfonso Arau.

From Beginning To End by Aluisio Abranches (I am desperatly looking for the Sicilian angle to this film uhmmmmmm according to IMDB it is Brazilian uhmmm x 2)

There is a tribute to Beppe Fiorello during the Festival in Miami, where he will receive a special price at the Fundraising Dinner on the 13th April, I am guessing he will be attending so do not miss out, get out there waving the Tricolore, he really is one of Italys best male actors, who gets little to no reconition at home, I am warming to this Sicilian Festival, in his honor you can see:

The Legend Of The Bandit And The Champion, La leggenda del bandito e del campione 1st and 2nd episode spread over two nights directed by Lodovico Gasparini and The Draw , Il sorteggio directed by Giacomo Campiotti.

Viola di Mare, The Sea Purple dirtected by Donatella Maiorca.

Father directed by Pasquale Squitieri is a thriller and a 2011 production, it has not been released in Italy Uffa. People of Miami do go and see this and report back, please. Pasquale Squitieri is the long term partner of Claudia Cardinale, they also have a daughter together, just in case you were wondering.

From The Ducrot Factory To The School Of Cinema, Dalle Officine Ducrot alla Scuola di Cinema directed by Luigi Valenti

UPDATE 29th March 2011:

Just a quick up-date from PrimoCiak, I had a note from the SFF concerning the two non Sicilian Films and I quote:

“There is no direct relationship between the Queer films and Sicily, but Queer Frame/Atlantide based in Italy has collaborated with the SFF for the past few years and the extra films (no matter what the language it is) add an interesting element to the festival and very appealing for Miami Beach residents and visitors”

I think we all agree that “sharing is caring” so anyone providing help to spread the news about Sicilian Films are welcome…..

People of Miami it is time to book those tickets, make it a sell out and do remember to dress appropriately.

Rule 1 No grey socks and brown sandals

Rule 2 No shorts and flip-flops

Rule 3 You do not mix pink and pale blue; this is not a year for pastels

Rule 4 Do not marinade in your favourite perfume or after-shave

Rule 5 Switch of the mobile, I know…non of you are that important that you cannot live for 2 hours without it…Yes Roberto you to0

Rule 6 If you have a bad cold and a runny nose, why not give your ticket to a friend

Appreciate your chance to see films that us poor habitants of Sicily might never see.

The Sicilian Film Festival Maimi is also on Facebook, why not become a fan ?

I have looked through their programme and I am ever so slightly confused. I see them showing 2 Italian films Basilicata Coast to Coast directed by Rocco Papaleo and Febbre da fieno, Hayfeverdirected by Laura Luketti, so far so good, although I am always surprised to see Basilicata at these festivals, it is just an average comedy, still it is at least Italian, lets rejoice. The CIFF has some truly awesome films in their programme this year sadly non of them are Italian. When is a film Italian? I am asking myself that right now looking at the CIFF’s website as they are showing 6 Italian films, that is so confusing I think you will agree……

The four additional films listed under Italy are:

Habibi directed by Davide Del Degan: He is Italian, there are Italian actors, it is a short, the language is Arabic and funding is from Italy and Lebanon. Fair enough this short is sort of Italian.

Hello how are you directed by Alexandru Maftei: He is Romanian, the language is Romanian and it is shot in Romania. Funding came from Romania, Spain and Italy. That is not an Italian film is it; does throwing cash at a Producer really give you the right to proclaim your film a certain nationality?

Mountain Blood directed by Philipp J Pamer: He is Italian, the film was shot in Germany, the language is German, and the actors are German. Funding is German and Italian, I feel uneasy about calling this film Italian.

Into Eternity directed by Michael Madsen: He is Danish, it is a Documentary filmed in Finland, the spoken word is English, Swedish and Finnish. Funding came from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and you guessed it Italy, that does so not make the film Italian.

Soapbox Soapbox where for art thou soapbox I am up in arms and ready to let of steam !

I am as always trying to find the Italian aspect of a winner, Colin Firth is not Italian however he has been married to the Italian film producer Livia Giuggioli since 1997 , with whom he has 2 children. Livia Giuggioli has been known to be on the run from the Fashion Police, her dress sense is something else and could easily be compared to that of Nancy d’allio .OK, not really that interesting so have a look at this video from the Oscar night and his red carpet performance . Colin Firth was confronted by Italy’s Sky News interviewer, this will surely make your day. I keep asking myself ” Is there no end to this Golden Goose and his talent” ? I think once you have seen this Video you will agree that the answer is NO !

We were robbed, Italy did not win Custom and Design as I had hoped , it went to Alice in Wonderland ….OK , to be fair she is a child and the floodgates would have swong open had it gone to anyone else.

Makeup, went to the Woofman, I am looking to Canada for emotional support here and hope they will take it up with the Academy Awards board on our behalf, we were robbed.

Wooo Woooo, we did it, we did it , ONE shiny golden Oscar went to Italy!

Well done Francis Ford Coppola, we are so very proud and grateful for your Lifetime Achievement Award , please visit during the summer , let’s have a look at it, bring it to Basilicata , we will throw you a party…no make that a Festival with fireworks, one you will never forget.

Denmark, I am so very very happy for you ” In a Better World” it was a great film, a small but well-formed tear was shed by me ” Hip Hip Hurrah, hip Hip Hurrah for Susanne Bier certainly a year that has seen her wardrope grow , having also run of with the British BAFTA and the Golden Globe.

Here is a list of all the winners :

Best Picture: “The King’s Speech”

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Colin Firth for “The King’s Speech”

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Natalie Portman for “Black Swan”

Best Director: Tom Hooper for “The King’s Speech”

Best Supporting Actor:Christian Bale for “The Fighter”

Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo for “The Fighter”

Best Art Direction: “Alice”

Best Cinematography: ‘Inception’

Best Animated Short: ‘The Lost Thing’

Best Animated Feature: ‘Toy Story 3’

Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin for “The Social Network.”

Best Original Screenplay: David Seidler “The King’s Speech.”

Best Foreign Film: ‘In a Better World’ from Denmark

Best Documentary Feature: “Inside Job”

Best Documentary Short: “Strangers No More”

Best Live Action Short: “God of Love”

Best Original Score: “The Social Network”

Best Original Song: Randy Newman – “We Belong Together” for Toy Story 3

Miami International Film Festival, (4th March to 13th March 2011) I nearly missed this charming Festival showing an interesting selection of films due to the Oscar hype . We have two Italian films being championed at the Festival, unusual choices if you ask me, however I am pleased for both films, lets go explore….

Passione, Passion I was denied the possibility of seeing this film myself when it was released nationwide in Italy ( It never screened in Catania, Sicily and was also confused by the general public with La Passione , The Passion out at the same time) only in Italy. Passion without the THE is a must for any second ,third generation Italian living abroad , it is a festival must see. John Turturro’s latest movie takes us on a journey through Napoli, one of the biggest jukeboxes in the world with songs from way back to present day . Sing along if you must , you will surely know all the songs .

The second film shown is A Quiet Life, Una Vita Tranquilla staring Toni Servillo, if you love him you will adore this offering by the director Cladio Cupelli . Toni Servillo is Rosario an ex-hitman who ran off to Germany and re-invented himself , with a lovely new family including cute child,leaving a family behind including not so cute child in Italy. One day the prodigal son from Italy turns up as a hitman in Germany and their lives collide. This film is excellent , I really enjoyed it and I am chuffed to see it hitting the US too. Italians of Miami, now it is time to put on those glad rags and your best perfume and get this Festival rocking.

OK, it is Friday and it is time to get in the party stuff for Sunday nights Oscar bash, here in Italy we are all in fancy dress already as we are mid Carnival so no need for a costume or design . We do need food for this fest though and let’s not forget the Prosecco it is a must, we have the possibility of 3 Oscars so there surely must be one Oscar coming this way, three golden Oscars for Italy…..really ? Yes, THREE, I have had to push the boundaries a little to get that many but yes I am claiming 3 Oscars for Italy Sunday night.

Oscar Number one goes to : Io sono l’amore, I am love Directed by Luca Guadagnino it is one of our hopes still alive and kicking for Costume and Design , responsible for those beautiful sumptuous ensembles is costume designer Antonella Cannarozzi, who first worked with the director on Melissa P back in 2005 , you have seen Io sono l’amore, I am love and will agree that Tilda Switon never looked better even Alba Rohrwacher looked positively stunning . Who are we up against for this elegant Oscar ? :

Alice in Wonderland, C & D Colleen Atwood ( They took the BAFTA give us the Oscar)

Il Grinto , True Grit, C & D Mary Zophres

The Tempest, C & D Sandy Powell

Il discorso de re , The Kings Speech, C & D Jenny Powell

Second Oscar goes to: La versione di Barneby, Barnaby’s Version, it is a production shared by Canada and Italy so any Oscar will be 50% Italian that is good enough for me. We are looking for an Oscar in the Makeup Department here, always an important Oscar if you ask me. The team working on this lovely film was: Natalie Garon, Rick Gassman, Magoli Metiveir, Adrien Morot, Valli O’Reilly and Alessandra Venzi, many good Italian names so let’s run with this Oscar. We are up against some heavy makeup I agree ,The Wolfman directed by Joe Johnston and The Way Back directed by Peter Weir, our best change.

The third and final Oscar goes to : Francis Ford Coppola the 71-year-old was born in Detroit USA ,I do not want a deep and meaningful discussion on genealogy here, just listen up for a second , when your father is Carmine Coppola and your mum is named Italia and they both came from Bernalda , Basilicata, we have some claim on him here in Italy, enough titter tatter, he is getting a lifetime achievement award , Premio alla carriera and we here in Italy will be celebrating …right ?.

We are in for a great evening on Sunday and a few Oscars too. So get the pasta ready, the Prosecco chilled and lets party.